Music Major

At Concordia, Music is more than a major—it is an integral part of the college experience for students in a variety of undergraduate studies. We use music to cultivate and articulate human thought in beautiful ways. We also use it as a valuable expression of faith, a gift of God to aid in the proclamation of the Gospel.

The music major at Concordia University Irvine emphasizes the following academic areas:

Practical Musicianship & Performance Musicianship

Contextualization of Music

Leadership & Collaboration

Many music majors add a concentration to their major, focusing on Church Music, Commercial Music, Composition, Music Education, or Performance.

*Please note that students enrolled prior to Fall 2016 may complete their studies under the previous Music major requirements.

Alumni Testimonials

My music education at Concordia was so meaningful because of the dedication of the faculty to each student's growth, the quality of the music making, the candor and loyalty of the students, the beauty of the campus, and the reward of the learning process that comes from well-structured courses. There are always life choices and experiences which we look back on and wonder if we could have had them differently; for me, Concordia is the opposite--I would not change it at all.

– Christian Guebert, ‘10

Director of Music, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange, CA

Concordia's Music faculty and program impacted me deeply as a student. The mentorships, information, and practical skills I learned as a music major are directly utilized on a daily basis in my career as a music teacher and church musician. Since graduating, I have realized how valuable that experience was! My job requires a variety of musical skills, including teaching, accompanying, directing, coaching, performing, etc. My time at Concordia truly prepared me for my future!

Karissa Lystrup, ‘15

Director of Worship and Music Arts, St. John's Lutheran Church, Bakersfield, CA

Concordia prepared me well for my choral teaching career! Since it is a small school, I had a lot of performance opportunities. I was able to accompany chapel services and play in the praise band often. Concordia inspired me to be a choral teacher, and to go on to get my Master’s degree.

Jason Chan

Curriculum

The Music Major consists of 54 units of required coursework. Additional coursework, grouped in concentrations ranging from 13-18 units, is available to music majors who want to study a specialization even deeper.

Building on core competencies in musical studies, you may choose from 7 areas of specialization:

As a beginning study of the craft of music for music majors and minors or general students with considerable musical experience, this course will include the study and application of scales, intervals, triads, rhythms, and elementary chord progression through analysis and writing. Co-requisites: Normally taken concurrently with MUS 211. Recommended MUS 102 or other training in the fundamentals of musical notation.

MUS 202: Music Theory II

3

Continuation of MUS 201, this course will study seventh chords, modulation and basic musical forms through analysis and composition of four-part textures. Prerequisite: Should be taken concurrently with MUS 212.

MUS 211: Aural Skills I

1

This course will provide students with the training and tools that will aid in the development of sight-singing, dictation, and basic keyboard skills that support basic concepts as they learn to hear and identify basic harmonic (intervals, triads, and chord progressions) and rhythmic and melodic materials using the moveable-do solfege system.

MUS 212: Aural Skills II

1

A continuation of MUS 211. Prerequisite: Should be taken concurrently with MUS 202.

MUS 221: Beginning Conducting

2

As a beginning study in the craft of conducting, this course will include the basic beat patterns, preparatory and release gestures, and simple non-verbal stylistic cues. Students will conduct a musical ensemble composed of class members.

MUS 331: Music History: Antiquity to Bach

3

Survey the development of art music in Western history from antiquity through the baroque period, including the social functions of music and the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical, and vocal and instrumental music. This course addresses the question, "Why Art?" in the general education curriculum.

MUS 332: Music History: Classical Period to Modernity

3

This survey course will look at the development of art music in Western history from the early classical period to the present, including the social functions of music, the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical music, and vocal and instrumental music. Prerequisite: MUS 202 or instructor approval. Offered alternate years.

As a professor of trumpet at Nanhai Conservatory of Music, Matthew Busch is educating students in China about the value of western music, and improving artistic standards for orchestral wind instrument music.

Catherine Standridge studied music education at Concordia University Irvine, earning her degree and her teaching credential. Her student-teaching assignment led to a full-time job and an opportunity to help restore music education to an entire school district.

“It is because of my alma mater that I aspire to be an excellent player, and a person of character and kindness whose music emanates from the soul." Gretchen Sheetz received her master's degree in harp performance from The Boston Conservatory.

Opportunities For Music Majors

Performing and teaching are the two most common careers in music, but there is a breadth of career possibilities that spans from Accompanist to summer camp Music Director and everything in between. Concordia prepares all Music majors to teach the art of making music.

Academic Opportunities

As a Music major, you can combine your degree with a related minor, or double major. Many Concordia students who major in other fields also choose to complete their elective requirements with a formal program of study in music with a music minor.

Performance Groups

Enduring friendships and lifelong memories are formed through participation in Concordia’s top music ensembles. They are not restricted to the top music major performers. Instead, they include any student who wants life enrichment through performance excellence and music ministry. Many proudly take on the title of "honorary music major"! Find out more information about Concordia's performance groups.

Scholarships

Music majors have a tremendous opportunity to apply for scholarships at Concordia University Irvine. In fact, students accepting Music scholarships enjoy some of the largest financial aid packages that we offer – ranging from 40% to over 100% off of tuition! We strongly encourage those who are interested in pursuing Music at Concordia to: 1) achieve academically, 2) audition confidently, and 3) complete the FAFSA to be eligible for need-based aid. Doing all three will maximize your award.

Please fill out this online form to introduce yourself to us. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete. Note: You cannot save and return to this form. Be prepared to complete it in one sitting.

Meet Your Professors

Studying at Concordia means that you have access to one of the best undergraduate church music faculties on the West Coast, some of the most accomplished studio and recital musicians in Southern California, and professors who exhibit excellence in ensemble leadership and teaching.

Tom Mueller

Music professor and university organist Tom Mueller was recently named to the “20 Under 30” list of Prominent American Musicians, or 20 American musicians under the age of 30, by The Diapason, an international music journal focusing on musicians who play the organ, harpsichord, and carillon. A faculty member at Concordia University Irvine since January 2015, Mueller teaches organ, jazz, and composition. In addition, he serves as the assistant organist at St. James’ Church in Los Angeles.

Assistant Professor of Church Music

Music professor and university organist Tom Mueller was recently named to the “20 Under 30” list of Prominent American Musicians, or 20 American musicians under the age of 30, by The Diapason, an international music journal focusing on musicians who play the organ, harpsichord, and carillon. A faculty member at Concordia University Irvine since January 2015, Mueller teaches organ, jazz, and composition. In addition, he serves as the assistant organist at St. James’ Church in Los Angeles.

Carol McDaniel

Carol recently celebrated 30 years in music ministry as a teacher, conductor, organist and parish music administrator. She received her B.S. in Education, with an emphasis in organ, music education and parish music, from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska in 1983. She was a graduate teaching assistant and received her Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1985. She was instrumental in developing Concordia Irvine’s series of organ classes for students wanting to experience organ for the first time.

Associate Professor of Church Music

Carol recently celebrated 30 years in music ministry as a teacher, conductor, organist and parish music administrator. She received her B.S. in Education, with an emphasis in organ, music education and parish music, from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska in 1983. She was a graduate teaching assistant and received her Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1985. She was instrumental in developing Concordia Irvine’s series of organ classes for students wanting to experience organ for the first time.

Jeff Held

Dr. Held received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University. He joined the faculty of Concordia University in 2005 and as an expert on the application of instrumental music in worship, established most of the existing orchestral instrument program at the University. Dr. Held is the music director of both the Concordia Wind Orchestra and the Concordia Sinfonietta, as well as Director of Arts Activities and Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences (music, theatre, and art).

Dr. Held received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University. He joined the faculty of Concordia University in 2005 and as an expert on the application of instrumental music in worship, established most of the existing orchestral instrument program at the University. Dr. Held is the music director of both the Concordia Wind Orchestra and the Concordia Sinfonietta, as well as Director of Arts Activities and Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences (music, theatre, and art).

More Faculty

One of our greatest assets at Concordia University Irvine is our dedicated faculty. In a small learning environment, our professors care about you—not just your performance—and they cultivate lifelong mentoring relationships with the students they teach.

Get in Touch

Get Started

Request Info

Want to know more about Concordia University Irvine? Let one of our admissions counselors get in touch with you and answer any questions you might have.

First NameLast NameEmail

Schedule a Visit

In your college search, it's important that you find the right fit for you. That's why we offer both group visits and individual visits for you and your family throughout the year. Come experience our beautiful hilltop campus, sit in on a class, attend chapel, and dine in our cafeteria

Services

Concordia University Irvine is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. CUI serves over 4,200 students annually.